And so we finish the weirdest, most difficult and different(!) term in living memory. If anyone had said in September that this is how the year would have ended, we would have laughed and laughed and laughed…

I know it’s been difficult for everyone but I do believe that families have been tested in all sorts of different ways. You have had to manage and adapt to the situation without all the clubs, support of family and friends and play areas that you are used to. You’ve had to manage home schooling, with all the difficulties that brings. You have had to manage your own, and your children’s, anxieties and uncertainties about what the future might hold. Thank you for everything that you have done. We hope that school’s provision has helped you in this challenge; I know that every member of staff has wanted to help and support with this extra burden that was placed on you. Please be assured that we want to help and support you and your children as we come back to school in September to ensure everyone feels as settled and safe as possible which will enable your children to thrive.

On the subject of September, we have some provisional plans as to how school will operate when children return. Children come back to school on Thursday 3rd September (except for new children coming into Reception). Please read the letter outlining our full return to school in September. It can be found here.

And that just leaves me to say that I hope you have a good summer break, I hope we get some sunshine, and we’ll see you all again in September 🙂

Thank You

A big ‘THANK YOU’ to everyone who sent gifts in for the staff at school. It was very kind, never expected and always makes everyone smile. Thank you again.

Goodbyes and Hello

We are saying ‘goodbye’ to some staff this year. Miss Hedworth, who first came to school as a volunteer 8 years ago, is leaving us to follow her dream of becoming a teacher. She starts her teacher qualification in September. We will all miss you very much, Miss Hedworth, but wish you all the very best as you start your new journey.

We are also saying ‘goodbye’ to Mrs Woodhouse and Mrs Lawrence. Both of these teachers came to work at Pedmore to cover classes at the beginning of the year and have helped us out no end during the lockdown period. We would like to say ‘thank you’ to them and I’m sure we will see them in school again in the future.

We are welcoming a new member of staff in September, too. Miss Hall will be our new Year 1 teacher and we are looking forward to her being part of the Pedmore family. She has already been in school to meet her new class. Welcome!

Breakfast and After-School Club

Information about breakfast and after-school club opening can be found in the letter here.

Online Learning

All of the online learning that has been on the website since the start of lockdown will remain on there over the summer, should you wish to use any of it. I know some parents have asked. But please don’t feel you have to!

Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak (gov.uk)

The government has issued guidance for parents about any out-of-school settings they use for their children. This will become particularly important as the summer holidays begin.

The guidance includes a section about choosing a suitable provider and provides some examples of positive signs to look out for when choosing an out-of-school setting for your child. 

In addition to covid-19 related issues, the guidance covers safeguarding matters too, including finding out whether staff members and volunteers have relevant child protection training, and relevant checks have been made.

You can find the guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-parents-and-carers-of-children-attending-out-of-school-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/guidance-for-parents-and-carers-of-children-attending-out-of-school-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

Government guidance for parents – online harms

The government has produced a useful webpage listing sources of advice and support for keeping their children safe. The guide includes information about: 

• Protect children from domestic abuse
• Teenage relationship abuse
• Child sexual abuse and exploitation
• Sexual assault referral centres
• Crime, Criminal Exploitation and County Lines, violence and gangs
• Protect children from radicalisation
• Prevent
• Online child safety
• Mental health

You can find the information here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-keeping-children-safe-from-abuse-and-harm/advice-to-parents-and-carers-on-keeping-children-safe-from-abuse-and-harm